books!

[Stephanieee]

So I just looked at my book list for "Fall 09", my first semester in the nursing program... $1,109.45! Hello, heart attack! The only thing giving me some consolation right now is that it is ALOT of books and looks like it could also be for Spring 2010, as it includes at least one Med-Surg book which I don't take until the spring.

Time to start looking online for cheaper books, school bookstores are such a rip off!

[GoBear]

Check Craigslist in your area, too! I bought an expensive textbook/DVD bundle from a student who had failed the previous semester and saved myself a ton of money on that set.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Call the school and ask to talk with a first semester instructor. Ask which books you absolutely need for the start of school. Many of these books are going to be used throughout the remainder of the nursing program and you may not need to purchase them yet.

If you buy used be sure you also get any CDs that go with them since some of them are very helpful. Some textbooks also have access codes to online study help websites and you are also paying for that access code, so make sure you get that as well.

[Chelley076]

congratulations on starting nursing school! you're right, alot of the books you are buying now will be used throughout nursing school. i am beginning my 3rd semester in august, and honestly, other than the the big purchase of books i made at the beginning of nursing school, i haven't had to buy many other books. i would say about 1 to 2 additional books per semester, but they are generally smaller, cheaper books. all of your large, expensive text books you will need are in that original list. the only additional thing i would really recommend is that you get an nclex review book early in nursing school. i didn't get one until my second semester and it was a huge help for exams and i wished i had gotten it during first semester. i would especially recommend that you get one with a companion cd, it really is a great study tool. i use saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination by linda anne silvestri. you can check out other nclex review books at http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/spe...?sid=429&lid=4

congratulations again! and good luck! let me know if you have any other questions!

michelle willerford

elsevier student ambassador

[Nepenthe Sea]

I have looked at the syllabi of all the classes I will have, and it appears that after this coming semester I will only need to buy one new book for each class. For the upcoming semester, I have to have 9 (11, if you count the course manuals that you have to get)!!

The text that we used for Intro to Nursing last semester will be used for the remainder of our school careers, so at least that turned out to be a worthwhile investment. Also, we were told in my nutrition class last fall to hang on to our nutrition text, because we would be using it all throughout NS, and for NCLEX review. It makes me feel better spending all that money when I know I'm going to use it for a long time. Maybe your program will be the same way.

[modelmama07]

I have about 11 books, that come in our book package which is looking like $821, which they say is a good deal with about $393.50 in savings from $1214.50...I am a person who has always bought my books online from different sites, but I'm not sure I should do that this time. If I buy the box I get free access to Mosby's Nursing Consult Student Edition, and they say its valued at $244 per year...I'm wondering if it worth it, they say it will be for research paper and etc...I don't know I'm confused...lol

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

The bookstore at my school doesn't open until Aug. 3rd so I'm not able to get my books yet. But I do know books run about $1100! It's crazy! I'd like to buy everything online if it's cheaper but my school has all the books in a big box.....so I can't see what I'd need to look for online. :/ Thank God for financial aid, lol.